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Age Discrimination

Age discrimination is when a job seeker or an employee is treated unfavorably because of his age. Read the following advice to help you mitigate discrimination issues, and make yourself aware of the laws that prohibit employment discrimination.

CV tips

On your resume it is advisable to limit your experience to 15 years for a managerial job, 10 years for a technical job, and 5 years for a high-tech job

If you have other relevant work experience list it without dates in an Other Experience category

Consider using a functional resume rather than a chronological resume

Interview tips

Project yourself as cheerful and flexible and back that up with proof of your skills and success

Review the benefits of older workers - commitment to a career, hands-on experience, a track record of success, stable, realistic expectations - and think about how they apply to you

Use storytelling techniques to back up your claims of these skills

Age and Salary Issues

Let potential employers know that you are flexible. Even though you may have earned six figures in the past, perhaps you no longer need to or you would be willing to accept a lower salary to get your foot in the door.

If that's the case, mention in your cover letters, when salary requirements are asked for, that yours are flexible or negotiable, based upon the position and the entire compensation package, including benefits.

Age Discrimination Law

Finally, if you believe you have been discriminated against because of your age, there are the protections provide by age discrimination law.The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) protects certain applicants and employees 40 years of age and older from discrimination on the basis of age in hiring, promotion, discharge, compensation, or terms, conditions or privileges of employment. The law is enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).